Graduation Instructions
Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences
The Fed Ex Forum: May 31, 2013, 1:30 p.m.
1. The commencement program will be held in the FedEx Forum, located at 191 Beale Street.
2. Parking is available in the Forum parking garage or surrounding area lots.
3. Students, faculty and staff who are participating in the graduation program are requested to be at the FedEx Forum in the appropriate assembly area by 12:45 p.m.
4. The assembly areas are located on the lower concourse and are best reached through the main entrance. Once inside the lobby area, the elevators to the lower level are located to the right at the top of the steps. The areas will be marked with signs for easy identification. Only ceremony participants are allowed in the line-up area.
5. DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR CAP, HOOD AND GOWN. Orders for academic regalia can be made in the UT Bookstore or by calling 901-448-5413. The regalia may be picked up in the Bookstore on the Wednesday and Thursday of graduation week.
6. Men should attach the hood string to a shirt button to keep the hood off your throat. Women may do the same or use safety pins to secure the hood. Both sides of the hood should be secured with the string in the back to keep the hood securely on your shoulders.
The Line-Up and Procession
7. The class president is designated as the class marshal and is responsible for getting the class into the correct line-up. A faculty committee member is designated as the college marshal. The college marshal will have a name/number list indicating the beginning and ending person in each row. You should go to the class marshal for assistance in locating your line-up position. The correct line-up is critical to the calling of names to receive the diploma. Please stay in position.
8. Tassels on the academic caps for all candidates should be worn on the right front quarter of the cap.
9. The procession is led by the Mace Bearer and leaves the assembly area promptly at 1:30 p.m. Each college will be led in the procession by the college marshal who will also assist in the seating procedure. Please remain in correct order.
The Seating
10. The correct seating order will be directed by the college marshals utilizing the name/number list. Seating is done two rows at a time. Fill up the entire row. The second person in line for the college must leave an empty seat for the banner carrier (the first person in line for the college).
11. Remain standing, the Chancellor will preside and ask for an invocation and the singing of the National Anthem. Following the National Anthem all persons should be seated.
The Charge
12. A “Charge to the Candidates” will be given.
The Conferring of Degrees
13. Each dean will present their candidates for the conferring of their degrees. Follow the instructions given by the Dean and the Chancellor.
14. Tassels will be moved from right to left at the direction of the Alumni Association President.
The Diplomas
15. The dean of each college will call for the graduates in the college to rise and come forward to receive their diplomas.
16. Only the front row rises and proceeds to the stairs on the right-hand side of the stage. Follow the directions of the Ceremonies Committee members (in red tams). At the top of the stairs proceed to the center of the stage to receive your diploma from the Dean.
17. As you approach the Dean, you receive your diploma with your left hand and shake hands with your right hand.
18. As the first person in the class moves across the stage to receive their diploma, the second person moves up the stairs to the stage. You must wait until the person preceding you has received their diploma before you move across the stage. The succeeding persons continue in this progression. There should be no more than three persons at the foot of the stage.
18. After receiving the diploma, continue across the stage and down the steps back to your original row and seat.
19. As the last person in the row proceeds to the stage, the next row rises in unison in order that the first person in the next row may be ready to proceed to the stage. The previous row will sit, when the last person of that row has returned to their original seat. Do not leave the arena floor.
The Benediction and Recessional
20. Rise and men remove caps at the benediction. Replace cap and remain standing.
21. Recessional: Faculty and administration are led by the Mace Bearer and are followed by the graduates.
22. The recessional moves from the Forum floor back to the assembly/ gowning area. Please do not break the line and congest the recessiona
23. Caps, gowns, hoods and honor stoles must be turned in immediately following the ceremony in the gowning area.
24. Diplomas, in graduation jackets, will be distributed in the same area immediately following the recessional.
25. A photographer will be photographing each graduate as you are hooded and as you receive your diploma. Proofs of the photos will posted on the web site listed in the commencement program within a few days after graduation so that you may purchase copies, if you so desire.
Policy on Academic Regalia
Proper academic regalia for graduation is black robe (with chevrons, if appropriate), plain black mortar board, and hood appropriate to the discipline.
No additional adornments (e.g., lapel pins, fraternity/sorority stoles) should be worn with the cap and gown with the exception of UTHSC-issued honor stoles and nationally recognized professional honor society stoles. The mortarboard should be placed so that the cap is parallel to the floor (not tilted in any direction). The tassel is worn on the right side until directed to move it to the left.
Only those students dressed in proper academic regalia will be allowed to participate.
All of the academic regalia is rented and must be returned, including honor stoles. You may keep your mortarboard tassel as a gift from the university.
Graduation Ceremony Tips
Men: wear dark trousers and shoes and a buttoned shirt (to attach the front of your academic hood).
Women: wear comfortable, dark, low heels (for ascending/descending steps to the stage), and a blouse with buttons (to attach the front of your academic hood). Bring extra bobby pins to secure your mortarboard.
Academic regalia can be quite warm; dress accordingly.
Diplomas will not be distributed until the end of the ceremony.
Take photos with family and friends before the ceremony and return your regalia as soon as possible after the ceremony.
Leave personal belongings with family/friends during the ceremony.
Contact Us
Office of Student Life
Student Government Association Executive Council (SGAEC)
800 Madison Ave Room 300
Memphis, Tennessee 38163
Emily Cooley: 901-448-5610, ebarnes@uthsc.edu
Liz Roemer: 901-448-4860, lroemer@uthsc.edu
Fax: 901-448-7585
